Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-02-11

natl TO Chillicothe. The sessions of the Terri
torial Legislature in that year and In 1901 were
probably held in small two-story house of
hewed logs, which stood on the corner of Sec
ond and Walnut streets, and was built in l19S
by Bayil Abrams. There was n wing to the
main building extending along Walnut street,
toward the river. This wing was two stories in
height. In the lower room Thomas Gibson, the
Auditor of the Territory had his office, and the
second story was occupied by a family The
second story of the main building is supposed
to have been lounging place for members of
tho Legislature, and there are u good many
stories about the gambling and drinking that
took place in 1t. The lower room of the main
building was used by the Legislature.
In the first year of this century work on the
first Capitol OF Ohio was commenced, and the
structure was such modest one that IL was
finished in the following year. The masonry
work was done by Major William Rutlodge, q
soldier OF the Revolution, and the wood
work by William Gutherie. The Territorial
Legislature held its session in this State for the
first time in 1901 The Constitutional Conven-
tion met In 1t on the first Monday OF Noyem-
ber, 1902. In April of the following year the
first General Assembly OF Ohio met In the
State House at Chillicothe, and the sessions OF
the succeeding Legislatures were held there
until 1910. In 1910, 1871, 1912 the General
Assembly convened at GAINESVILLE, but Chilli
cothe was again made the place OF meeting,
and II continued to be the Capital until 1916
when Columbus became the seat OF Govern.
ment for Ohio. After the Capital was taken TO
Columbus the State House was used for hold.
ing Courts till II was torn down, in 1852. The
last speech made in IL was at q ratification
meeting after the nomination OF Scott. The
speaker was Colonel Gilmore
Colonel John Mcdonald was one OF the most
interesting and useful men that ever lived In the
Scioto Valley. He was modest and did not ad-
vance his own claims 10 distinction hut he has
left more work that is accessible and valuable to
historians than most OF his contemporaries
John Mcdonald was descended from two sturdy
families OF the Scotch Highlands, but was him.
self born in Northumberland County, Pa, on
the 2Sth OF January, l115. His father lived for
while on the site OF Steubenvile. Like all young
men OF that time and condition John Mcdonald
grew up without early advantages, but he was
an expert hunter and Indian fighter. He par
ticipated in several Indian bastles, and in the
spring OF 1102 joined General Massies settle
ment at Manchester. He was "A boatmnn, hun
ter and surveyor, and took an active, important
part In all Of The expeditions leading TO the set
tlement Of the Scioto Valley from the time he
became attached TO Massie When the days OF
Indian lighting had passed and calmer times
came Mcdonald settled on farm on Poplar
Ridge, and lived there till he died. September
II, 1853.
In the war OF 1872 he was Paymaster General
and a regimental quartermaster, and In 1914 was
in command OF a regiment at Detroit. In 1917
he was member of the State Senate, and held
other ofiices. McDonald's important work was
that OF an author. He had no literary training,
but he had something to say, and he told II sim
ply and well. He has preserved in print the
woful experiences OF the early explorers OF the
Scioto Valley, and has described their suffer
ing and adventures as one only can who has
witnessed and shared the events that he writes
of.
McDonald's sketches OF the pioneers, their
lives and trials, were chiefly published In the
Western Christian .adp0eate. -Four OF his bio
graphical letters were published In book form.
The little volume is out OF print and Is called
"McDonalds Sketches" Colonel McDonaid's
writings are natural, graphic and accurate, and
they were given TO the public not from u desire
for notoriety or money, but for the.sake OF hand
ing down TO posterity some OF the early history
OF the Scoto Valley II is 10 be regretted that
there is no picture OF Colonel Mcdonald syall-
able.